Refrigerating apparatus



Aprii v26, 1927. A1,625,878

E, L. BARNES REFRIGERATING. APPARATUS Filed nay 2.2. 1925 ,2 sheets-sheet 1A [L E" f l- 5 f//////////////////////l//M li inlnml E'. L. BARNES REFRIGERATNG APPARATUS April Z6 1927-.

2 snetsfsheet 2 Filed May `22, 1925 TY A ,M m V WIT ss Patented Apr. 2.6, 1927-.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REFEIGERATING APPARATUS.

Application led Meyl 22,

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements 1n refrigerating ap-l paratus, and more specifically lto a cooler:

compartment 1- with its own lower poror boiler for such 'an apparatus,

I aim to providea simple, convenient, and efiicient cooler or boiler for refrigerating systems. The embodiment of my invention here. shown and described is particularly adapted for household `refrigeratin'g sys. tems. where it may be mounted in the `usual ice chamber of an ordinary domestic refrigerator. I also aim to provide against Clerangeluent of the refrigerating apparatus by any moisture with which the working substance or refrigerant employed in the system maybe contaminated.

Other objects and advantages relate to the. details of the structure and the form/and relation of the parts of the Same, all as will more fully appear from the following description taken in connection with the `accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the cooler.

Figure Qis a section on line Z--QFgu're'L l Figure 3 is a section on line 8-3, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a lsection on line 4 4, Figure 2.--

lfigure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a. .slightly modified and perhaps preferred form of apparatus.

"lhe structure here shown is adapted as a whole to be inserted Within 11T-refrigerating box, and inchidcsau ice-forming corupartmcnt 1- thermoinsulated from the chamber within thel refrigerator box (not shown); ThisMice-forming.compartment is provided with its own coolingagency, and moans outside'ot the insulated compartment -1-' are provided for cooling the refr1ger atorboX chamber. As here shown, compartf ment 1fis of rectangular form in horizontal cross-section, with its greater length extending :from front to rear. The chambeix -1- may consist of two 'thin spaced'sheet metal walls- 2 and -3- separated by a layer 4` of any suitable and Well known insulation material, suchas cork or the like. l

As here illustrated, a refrigerant-chamber -5- is mounted and exposed in the interior of the ice-forming compartment 1- iat the upper portionthereof, and this chamber 5- may extend throughout the entire length of the compartment -1- from front to rear and may be of 'a width substantially equal to the' interior widthof the compartment -1-. It lmay be supported within 1925. Serial N0. 32,172.

the compartment -1- in any suitablemanner, as by seeurement to' the walls thereof. It- 1s shown as filling only a portion of the tion or side freely exposed in the top of the latter, and as leaving a somewhat larger space at the lower part of the compartment Whlch 1s provided with supporting rods for ice-forming trays -7-. In this particular illustration, three such trays are 'showin The chamber -5- constitutes the coolingr means or structure for the iceform ing compartment -1-. y

liquid refrigeratmg medium or refrigerant from any suitable compressor and condenser is supplied thru a pipe 8 to a `reserve chamber -9- adapted to contain a reserve quantity of the refrigerating meupper portion ot the latter, at the front,

as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4. The chamber or conduit 11 is shown of relatively large size' in relation to the flow of refrigerant entering from the pipe 10, so as to afford a relatively dea-d space in its lower portion, below the'current of refrigerant at the top, as well as to reduce the general velocity of the refrigerantthrough the `chamber or "conduit 11 to a very gentle movement.

For the purpose of controllingthe passage ot refrigerating medium from the' high pressure side ofthe system to the low pressure side and maintaining a suitable normal level of such medium in said chamber, a loat 13- is provided, mounted upon a pivoted rod 111-- carrying a valve -15- for controlling a refrigerant outlet -16- at the termination of a-downwardly inclined passageway -17- formed in a casting 18 which otherwise closes the rear end of the tube -11-. As shown in Fig. 4, the rear end of the tube -4-11-` around which the casting- 18 is mounted vhas an Openingg-ltl near its upper portion to afford communication between the passageway -17- and the interior i -11-, owing partly' toV the slow with which tbeliquid traverses l of. Accordingly,

fere with the o in advance of ator box chamber 40. partment -`1- from front to rear;

manner, the header level of the liquid refrigerating medium` g, medium may at all times surround the freezing chamber 11.. Any water .which may be contained in or carried lalong by the refrigerating medium collects by gravity in the dead lower portion of the chamber movement the relatively large areay of the externally immersed chamber 411-, andcannot escape through the orifice 19 at the upper portion theresuch water is frozen in the chamber 1l-,thereby separated from the refrigerating medium, so that it cannot reach the outlet 16er come into contact with the valve 15 and thereby interrationbf the appara-tus by freezing `at suci points.l The position here shown for the freezing" chamber is a pref ferred one, but it will be obvious that it may be located at' any point in the system,

the outlet 16, where the coolin" action of the refrigerating medium may e ecta separation of the water by freezing the latter For the purpose of cooling the refrigerwhichsurrounds the compartment 1-, additionaland separate structures `are providedA in the Vform of two similar tube banks arranged upon opposite sides of and spaced from the compartment clude headers `-2()- and 2l, in the form of square'tubes extending from front to rear of the structure and of a length substantially equal to the length Vofrthe com- At its the header 20. is connectpperl portion, chamber -5- by means of to .the tra two spaced tu lower portion by a single pipe 23.` In like 21 `is connected at its upper portion `to the trap by means of two spaced pipes 24 'and at its lower ortion bymeans of ay single pipe 25.

As s own, i the pipes 22 and the pipes 24 are above the normal level of the liquid refri erating medium imthe trap chamber 5 an in the headers20 and 21, and serve for returning the vaporized refrigerating mediium to the'chamber 5. The pipes 23 and 25 .are below the normal level' ofthe refrigeratcooling ing medium 'in the trap chamber 5 and the headers `-2Q and -21- serre for supplying thesrefrigerating medium from the chamber` 5 ,to the headers andjto upright vtubes 26 and 27 which are connectijed to the lower sides of the headers andv are in direct communication therewith.k As shown inFigures 1 A,and 2, .the tubes 26 and 27 terminatefin closed lower ends.

f? Or inra preferred mannerf as shown in tube banks iiiv s or pipes -22-, and at its' Figure 5, the tubes 26 may be arranged in an inner a d an outer layer and the tubes 27 also rranged in an inner and an outer layer, the, tubes of the respective layers being preferably staggered. The outer layer of pipes 26 may be connected to corresponding pipes lof the inner layer 27, while the inner layer of pipes 26 may be connected to corresponding pipes of the outer layer 27, producing a U-tube arrangement affordin direct communication bctween the hea ers -20- and -y-21.

The structures comprising the headers 20 and 21 and the cooling tubes 26 and 2T serve as means for coolingrv the refrigerating box chamber which surrounds the compartment -1,-', being freely erposed to the surrounding atmosphere outside ofthis compartment. `In the tubes and headers the liquid refrigerant absorbs heat and vaporizes, as well as in the chamber or drum 5.

The vaporized ethyl chloride or )other gas conveyed to the traprchamber -5-ythrough pipes 22 'and -24- is returned to the compressor (not shown) bya return main -40-. Thetrap chamber may be 4rovided with anvopening normally close by a plug 41, through which opening the cooling fluid or refrigerant' may be supplied to the cooler land to the system in the amount desired.

Altho I have shown and described a spc` atmosphere at either side of said compartment.y

2. A refrigerating apparatusofthe character described comprising a cooling compartment, a refrigerant chamber with its lower portion ex sed in the top of Asaid compartment, an banks of uprightyaporiaing said' chamberexposed vto the putside atmosphere at either side of said compartment.

3. A refrigerating apparatus of the character described vcomprising a. cooling compartment,`a refrigerantfchamber exposed in the. interior of saidy compartment2 and vaporizirg structures receiving 1i uid refrigerant from said chamber exposedl tothe outside atmosphere ateither sideof said compartment, said structures comprising headers alongside said chamber and vaporizing tubes receiving liquid refrigerant from llU tubes extending downward from said headers.

4. In an paratus of thec'lassdescribed, a cooler co rising an 1ce-form1ng compartment, a cooling structure for the compartment, an additional -coohng structure for the space about said .compartment compris' inga pair of headers dispbsed'upon oppo site sides of said compartment, and` cooling tubes connected to said headers.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a cooling chamber comprising an ice-forming compartment, a chamber for refrigerant within said compartment for cooling .the same, a header outside said compartment in communication with the compartment, and a multiplicity of cooling tubes connected to the header.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a cooler comprising an ice-forming compartment, a trap chamber for refrigerant Within said compartment and adapted for cooling the same, valved means within the trap chamber for maintaining a normal level of the cooling fluid in said chamber, and addi-l tional cooling structures outside said compartment in communication with said trap chamber. y K

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a cooler comprising an ice-forming compartment, a trap chamber for refrigerant within said compartment adapted for cooling the same, valved means within the chamber for maintaining a normal level of liquid refrigerant in said chamber, a header outside said compartment, means of communication #between the header and the trapk chamber at a point below the normal level of Jthe liquid in said chamber, additional means of communication between the header and the' trap chamber above the normal level of the liquid in the latter, and a cooling tube 'in' connection with the header.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, acooler comprising an ice-forming compartment, a .trap chamber for refrigerant within .said compartment adapted for cooling the same, valved means within the trap chamber forV maintaining a normal level of liquid' refrigerant in said chamber, an additional cooling structure outside said compartment in communication with said trap chamber,

and a freezing chamber in which any Water incthe refrigerant is frozen before reaching said valved means.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, a' cooler comprising an ice-formingwcompartment, a trap-chamber for refrigerant within said compartment adapted for cooling the same, valved means within the trap chamber for maintaining anormal level of liquid refrigerant in said chamber, a header outside said compartment, means of communication between the header and the trap chamber at point below the normal level of the liquid refrigerant in said chamber, additional means of communication'between the header andthe trap chamber above the normal level of the liquid in the latter, a cooling tube in -connection with the nheader, 7u and a freezing 'chamber in which any water in the refrigerant isfrozen before reaching for freezing and segregating anv moisture S0 in the high prefs-ure medium, so as-tooblviate interference with the passage of the medium bylfreezing of such Water, exposed to be cooled by the liquid `medium in the low pressure side of the system. H5

- 11.. A il'efrigeratingsystem. in which cold is obtained by releasing a liquid :medium under pressure and vaporizing it, .comprising a valve for controlling the passage of the medium fromy the high pressure side of aothe system to its low pelssure (side, and a cooling 4and settling chamber immersed in the liquid medium atv the' low pressure side of the valve and traversed by the liquid, Y medium under pressure on itsv Way to the valve.

12. A ,flooded refrigerating; system in" #which cold is obtained by releasing Va liquid under pressure to said chamber.y and a cham-4 ber in Contact with the liquid mediumvin said first-mentioned .chamber interposed 1n 10Q the supplyconncction to said valve means" i and alfordln'g dead space for cou-eeuw] of y i frozen molsture.

13. A flooded refrigerating system A'in which cold is obtained by releasing a liquid 1v1-0- medium underV ressure and vaporizing it, compris-ing a cliamber Afor refrigerant al 'l low pressure, a supply conduit of relatively large size -extending'into said chamber, and afloat valve for controlling the delivery of liquid refrigerant under pressure from said conduit,and-maintaining in' the chamber a liquid refrigerant level sufficient to substantially submerge the conduit. f

14.. In an apparatus of the character described, a cooler comprising an ice-forming compartment, a trap chamber for'refrigerant arranged within said compartment, ice-l forming trays in said com artment, valved means for4 controlling the ow'of' liquid re-` 125 frigerant into the trap chamber, headers disposed upon opposite sides of the compartment, means lof communication between the headers and the trap chamber ata polnt below the normal level of the liquid refrigeri lll Y in communication with the headers disposed scribed, -a cooler comprising an ice-forming a trap-chamber for refr1gercompartment, ant arranged within said compartment, 1ceforming trays 1n said compartment, valved means for eontrolhng. the flow of hquld re- 4llrigerant into the trap chamber, headers disposed upon opposlte sides of the compartment, means ot' communication between the headers and the trap chamber at a point below the normal level of the liquid refrigerant in the latter, additional means of communication between the headers and the trap chamber at a point above the normal level.

of the liquid within the latter, cooling tubes headers, and means for freezing any. water moving with the liquid refrigerant at a point beforethe same reachessaid valved means.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, a trap chamber for refrigerant, a pairof headers disposed upon opposite sides of the trap chamber, means of communication between the trap' chamber and each of the headers` and a plurality of coolingtubes connected to each header;

17. In an apparatus of the class described, a trap chamber for refrigerant, a pair of upon opposite sides of the trap chamber, means of communicationbetween the trap chamber and each of the headers, a pluralit51 ofl cooling tubes connected to each header, and afreezing chamber within the trap chamber traversed by the liquid refrigerant on its way to enter the trap chamber.

18. In an apparatus of scribed` a circulating s vstem for a refrigerant including a trap chamber, headers dis-V posed upon oppositesides of the trap chamber, means of communication between the `refrigerant passes the character detrap chamber and each of. the-headers,"a plurality ofcooling tubes connected t0 each header, a valve for controlling the level of"A the'refrigerant in the trap chamber, and

` a freezing chamber in which any waterentrained .with the refrigerant is frozen before it reaclies said valve.

1S).y In a refrigerating system in which cold is obtained hy releasing a -liquid medium under pressure and vaporizing it, the method ol preventing .moisture'in the refrigerantv from interfering'with passage of the re- 'frgerant from the higlrpressure side of the` A system to the low pressure side which comey prises exposing the liquid refrigerant in the high pressure side to cooling bythe liquid refrigerant 'in the low pressure side, there# hy-freezing out and segregating any moisturevrin the liquid refrigerantin advance of passage of the latter from the high side 'to th'e 'low side.

20. In a flooded refrigerating system in which cold is obtained by releasing a liquid medium under pressure and vaporizing it, the method of preventing moisture in the refrigerant from interfering with passage of thegrefrigerant from the high pressure side of the system to the low pressure side which comprises settling and freezing out any moisturey in the refrigerant in a dead pocket of liquid refrigerant in the, high pressure side of the system', under cooling by the liquid refrigerant in the system. s i 4 21."In a circulatory refrigerating system an expansion valve opened and closed by a float yon the low side of the system dependent `upon the level of cold liquid refrigerant; and an ice-forming receptacle through which to the expansion valve and which is maintained at a water freezing temperature by contact with said cold Vliquid refrigerant.

the/'low' pressure side' of 

